Get Ready for the Biggest Temple Tour in 130+ Years: What to Expect at Salt Lake Temple’s Epic Open House

Hold onto your hats, Salt Lake City! Next year is about to get absolutely wild. After more than 130 years of keeping its doors closed to the public, the Salt Lake Temple is throwing open its gates for an unprecedented six-month celebration that’s going to change the game for visitors everywhere.

The Stats Are Mind-Blowing

Let’s talk numbers for a second. Church leaders are expecting between 3 to 5 million people to tour the newly renovated Salt Lake Temple between April 5 and October 1, 2027. That’s roughly 20,000 to 29,000 visitors per day. To put that in perspective, that’s like having the size of an entire general conference session show up every single day for half a year.

For comparison, the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics drew about 70,000 visitors daily—but that was only for 17 days. This open house is going to be significantly larger and last six times longer. We’re talking about one of the biggest events Salt Lake City has ever hosted.

Why the Big Fanfare?

The Salt Lake Temple has been closed since January 1, 2020, undergoing major seismic upgrades and extensive renovations to bring this historic building into the 21st century. The work will be complete by the end of 2026, and the Church is ready to show off the results in spectacular fashion.

This isn’t just any renovation—it’s the first time in over a century that everyday people will get to step inside one of the most iconic buildings in the region.

How to Score Your Tickets

Planning ahead? Smart move. In late August or early September 2027, the Church will launch a dedicated app for booking tour times. No mad dashes to the box office required—just download the app and reserve your spot.

The tour itself takes 60 to 80 minutes to walk through the Temple, but here’s the cool part: you’re not just limited to the building. Once you’re inside the Temple Square perimeter, you’ll have access to the entire plaza, including brand new statues and other Church buildings. Budget a few hours if you want the full experience.

Getting There (Without the Headache)

The Church has thought this through. They’ve partnered with UTA to make public transit options available, including TRAX, Frontrunner, and bus service directly to downtown. If you’d rather drive, they’re creating a lighted, secure park-and-ride lot at South Temple and Redwood Road with regular shuttle service straight to Temple Square.

As a bonus perk, Church employees are getting free UTA passes for the entire six months to help reduce downtown traffic congestion. It’s the kind of planning that makes you wonder why more major events don’t coordinate like this.

VIP Preview Coming in March

Here’s a little insider scoop: before the public masses arrive, the Church is inviting nearby businesses and residents to tour the Temple in March 2027. Basically, the locals get first dibs.

What the Tour Experience Looks Like

Ready for the logistics? Tours will start at the Church’s Conference Center, just north of Temple Square, and then travel underground directly into the Salt Lake Temple. This thoughtful routing helps manage the flow of visitors and keeps everything organized. Once inside, trained special missionaries called “docents” will guide you through the experience, sharing the history and details of this remarkable renovation.

Mark Your Calendars

April 5 – October 1, 2027 is the window. After October 2, the Temple will return to being accessible only to Church members with valid temple recommends.

Between now and then, the Church is keeping visitors entertained with Easter displays at Temple Square and preparing for its semi-annual general conferences in April and October. So if you’ve ever wondered what all the fuss is about with the Salt Lake Temple, next spring might be your one shot—and it’s going to be legendary.